Things to do for December 10, 2009

The Weekender

Bad Santas, High-Tech Sleep and Congo Style

This week's Perks bring UD exclusive sales with 40 percent off modern dress shirts from Jeremy Argyle and 30
percent off shoes from Moreschi of Italy, giving you an inside line to those Tuscan loafers Grandma's had
her eye on.

If there's one holiday tradition that's fondly etched into your memory, it's probably not visiting a
department store Santa. As a quick trip to these blogs will remind you, those adventures were likely to end
in either tears or outright terror. Or both.

Hibernation season is upon us, so you might want to consider employing a secret weapon: science. Enter
WakeMate, a wristband that tracks your nighttime stats (like number of sleep cycles) and gently wakes you at
the "optimal time"—which, sadly, isn't science-speak for "12:30 p.m."

When you travel, you've been known to forget little things like toothpaste or your suitcase, so this ought
to come in handy: a site that uses a bulletin board-style setup to ease you through every phase of trip
planning. (Going overseas? You'll get a Post-it note reminder to pack your passport.) Just don't put a
pushpin through your monitor.

Your style icons: Clooney. Newman. And now: some guys on the street from the Congo. This book—with an
intro by Sir Paul Smith—documents the dandy looks of the sapeurs, men who wear immaculately
tailored, brightly colored suits and live by a strict code of honor (no fighting, Gucci shoes). So if anyone
asks, that's why you're wearing a bow tie and smoking a pipe tomorrow.